The Empowering Teaching Excellence Seminar Series had two seminars available to all USU faculty statewide in February. Each seminar featured a presentation, faculty panel, and group discussions, designed to bring solutions to difficult classroom scenarios.

The “Helping English Language Learners Succeed in the Classroom and Beyond” February 15 seminar featured a faculty panel with extensive experience in helping students learn English. Faculty benefited by better understanding the challenges these students face, and were given tools to best support them.

The “Controversy in the Classroom: Opportunity or Catastrophe” February 27 seminar explored strategies to help faculty facilitate classroom discussions when there is controversy and confrontation. Education exposes students to new concepts and ideas, challenging their beliefs and assumptions. Faculty were given techniques to maintain a positive, enlightening discussion on difficult topics.